Holiday gift for my self...

I am very fascinated in Celtic designs, one of these is the Celtic dog. Had it done last Dec 19, I am very happy of the result.

"The dog animal symbol also maintains a pure root meaning throughout time and culture. That meaning is loyalty, of course. Man (and woman's) best friend, the dog symbolizes the strong bond of companionship felt between human and animal.

The dog was considered to be good luck in the village, and as such, the symbol of the dog was commonly found in Celtic décor, clothing, etc. There are reports that the dog symbol is a harbinger of good health. More likely, the dog's companionship warded away the illnesses loneliness and rejection cause." (article from http://www.whats-your-sign.com/Celtic-animals.html)

The Artist did an excellent art work... Wonderful.

Sin City Tattoos. <----- check out their blog-crib.

It was a fulfilling moment seeing the end result of this art work. It's just like a different me a new me. I always wanted to have a tattoo but can't find someone to be trusted to do the job. Since I'm a tattoo virgin I'm a little anxious when the artist is preparing his equipment. I also read the waiver 5 times before I signed it. I also had gazillion questions during the briefing. What are the precautions when you have a tattoo, what are the things to be done after the ritual, what if, when will, blah blah blah. Despite of tons tons of questions the artists answered it full-heartedly, with out any signs of annoyance. They also told me what will the tattoo look like after 10 to 20 years. They are very professional and yet very friendly, They're like talking to a kid who visited a dentist for the first time.

The ritual lasted for 2 hours, an hour for the actual tattooing and an hour for the briefing and reading the waiver. It wasn't painful than I anticipated. I gathered all of the story that my friends told me when they had their first tattoo, so I was expecting that it will be excruciating, and I was disappointed because that doesn't hurt that much. It was like an ignite-r of a lighter repeatedly tickling your skin.

"Pare sana nagpa-henna ka nalang" (you should've tried henna tattoo instead)one of the client suggested, senselessly. I gave him a grimace "duh! hennas are for babies" I silently uttered while giving him a rolling eyes. Hihihihi! Got my tattoo brotha. hehehehe Joke. I always find it sexy to have a tattoo, well of course if it's beautifully done, like Angelina Jolie's tattoos.

I don't blame other people who loathed the one's who has tattoos. It's just a matter of choices and you choose not to have one, and us, we simply have an eye for art. Joke! Kidding aside, Its' just that we have different perspectives towards things like this one, and when we learn to respect each other regardless of the belief, race, sexuality and religion. We will all live a peaceful and happy life.

Have a happy holiday and Prosperous New Year!
see yah.

Safe sex

Habang naglalakad ako sa lobby ng PUP Main campus,napatingin ako sa photo exhibit na hindi ko alam kung para saan. Parang may pwersang nagtulak sakin na tignan ang bawat larawan na naka exhibit. Nasa kalagitnaan na ako ng na-realize ko na ang mga taong may sakit sa larawan ay ang mga HIV/AIDS victims. Nakita ko hindi lamang ang paghihirap nila dulot ng karamdaman pati na rin ang paghihirap nila na makihalubilo sa kapwa at kung pano nila gugugulin ang nalalabi nilang oras at ang pakikipag laban nila na mamuhay ng normal. Nakakabilib, nakita ko sa larawan ang pagsusumikap nilang mabuhay para sa mga mahal nila sa buhay, makikita rin sa kanilang mga mata na tangap na nila ang kanilang kalagayan kahit na hindi kaila sa kanila na wala ng lunas ang sakit na ito.

Naantig ako sa babaeng inaalagan ang kanyang asawa sa abot ng kanyang makakaya, mahal pa rin niya ito sa kabila ng kalagayan nito, ni hindi na makakilos at payat na payat. Nakita ko rin ang isang batang wala pang kam'wang m'wang na may sakit ding HIV/AIDS. Sa kabila nito bakas parin sa mukha niya ang kasiyahan at ang pagsisikap niyang makapagaral. Ang pinaka nantig ako ay sa mag-asawang parehas may HIV/AIDS. Mahal na mahal nila ang isat't isa, lalo na yung lalaki, makikita ang pagiging mabuti niyang asawa at ama sa isa nilang anak na mapalad na hindi nakuha ang sakit. Kahit na alam niyang nahawa siya sa aasawa niyang HIV positive. Makikita dito ang tunay at wagas niyang pag ibig sa kabiyak sa kabila ng pagkakaroon din niya ng HIV/AIDS dahil sa kanya.

Nang matpos kong makita lahat ng mga larawan; naantig, natakot, at nainspire ako. Sa kabila ng kanilang karamdaman, nagsusumikap pa rin silang mabuhay sa tulong ng mga taong nagmamalasakit sa mga kagaya nilang biktima ng sakit na ito. Nakakatuwang isipin na may mga taong naiintindihan ang kanilang karamdaman at tinutulungan sila sa abot ng kanilang makakaya. Kahit ang iba dito ay hindi nila ka-ano-ano. Mahirap ang magkaroon ng ganitong karamdaman, mahirap isiping may sakit ka na hindi na malulunasan, para kang isang kandilang unti-unting inuupos ng karamdaman, unti unti kang manghihina at babagsak ang iyong katawan na mistulang punong kahoy na untiu-nting nalalanta at natutuyot, mahirap din ang pakiramdam na dahil sa kakulangan ng inpormasyon pinandidirihan sila ng ibang tao. Msakit itakwil ng kapwa mo dahil sa sakit na ito, subalit sa kabila ng mga ito, pilit pa rin nilang itinataguyod ang kanilang buhay, ang iba namay ibinabahagi sa ibang tao ang mga karanasang ito. Iminumulat ang kaalaman ng mga tao tungkol sa sakit na ito, ipinapaliwanag nila kung saan at papaano nakukuha ang ganitong sakit. Nakakatakot para sakin dahil isa sa dahilan ng pagkalat nito ay ang pakikipag talik na walaang proteksyon. Hindi ka pala magigi sigurado sa kahit na kaninong tao at kahit sa sarili mo, ito ang isa sa nagturo sa akin na kung gaano kahalaga ang "safe sex"

see yah

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ang artikulong ito ay isinulat ko noong February 19 2005. my entry for world AIDS DAY (pahabol)